Statistical Inference Research Articles

Tongue strength and swallowing-related masseter activity and oropharyngeal timing across the lifespan

Purpose: This study examined lifespan changes in maximum tongue strength, swallowing time, and masseter activity during swallowing. It provides normative data with which to compare clinical assessments of orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) and oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD). Method: 409 healthy participants without identified OMD or OPD (ages 5 – 79 years) provided instrumental measures of tongue strength and electromyographic measurements for oropharyngeal transit time and masseter activity during swallows of four boluses. Participants were placed in three broad age groups (5 – 15, 16 – 59, 60 – 79) for crosssectional analysis. Results: Differences were found between age groups for tongue strength, such that the youngest group had significantly lower anterior tongue strength than the other groups, and lower posterior tongue strength than the 16 – 59 age group. Anterior tongue strength was significantly greater for males than females; posterior tongue strength did not differ significantly between the sexes. The youngest group had longer oropharyngeal transit times than either of the two older groups for most boluses. Swallowing transit time decreased in duration across the age groups, from youngest to oldest, for the 2.5 cc pudding bolus. Both right and left masseters differed in activation among tasks and age groups. The oldest age group had consistently greater levels of activation of the right masseter, and all groups had greater activation for the cracker bolus. Spearman rank-order correlations largely confirmed the inferential statistics and provided evidence of a relationship between tongue weakness and increased oropharyngeal transit time. Conclusion: Maximum tongue pressure generation and oropharyngeal timing measures support a developmental hypothesis, with lower tongue strength and longer swallowing transit times for children ages 5 through 15. The smaller pudding bolus provided the greatest differentiation among the age groups, which may prove to be a functional indicator for clinical evaluation. These results are largely consistent with existing data for tongue strength and oropharyngeal swallowing transit times.

WHO LEADS THE PACK? PROFILING SCHOOL LEADERS’ DEMOGRAPHIC BACKGROUNDS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP PRACTICES IN GHANAIAN PUBLIC BASIC SCHOOLS

The extent to which demographic characteristics of educational heads differentiate their instructional leadership practices has been a contentious matter for several decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the instructional leadership practices of school heads as well as examine the extent to which headteachers’ gender, professional qualification, and work experience differentiated their instructional leadership practices in public basic schools in Ghana. This was a quantitative study underpinned by the positivist paradigm. The study employed the descriptive survey research design where 127 headteachers and 643 teachers were selected through census and proportionate stratified random sampling techniques respectively. The Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) was adapted from Hallinger and Murphys (1985) and used to collect numerical data for the study which was analysed using descriptive statistics like mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics including independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed that defining school mission dimension of instructional leadership practice was most prevalent among the headteachers as compared to managing the instructional programme and protecting school climate respectively. Additionally, the findings established that gender accounted for differences among headteachers in promoting a positive school climate where male headteachers rated higher than their female peers. Furthermore, the study established that work experience of the headteachers led to significant differences in defining school mission, managing instructional programme, promoting a positive school climate as well as the overall instructional leadership practice. Therefore, the study concluded that headteachers’ gender matters in promoting a positive climate in the schools while the work experience of the headteachers is a determinant of differences in their instructional leadership practices in the schools. Based on these findings, the study recommended that Ghana Education Service through the Regional and District Directorates of Education should liaise with instructional leadership specialists to organise in-service and refresher training programmes for headteachers on instructional leadership practices so as to sustain, improve, and intensify its practice in public basic schools.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0841/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Perceived Eye Health-Seeking Behaviour of Residents of Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State Nigeria

Eye disease is a common global health problem that affects both young and old people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the utilisation of eye care services globally was 18% in 2014, while in Nigeria; the rate of utilisation was reported to be below 25% as against the set target of 90%. This study therefore was aimed at assessing the perceived eye health-seeking behaviour of the residents of Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional method among 289 residents of three communities in the Ido Local Government area, Ibadan. A self-administered validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics (frequency, means and standard deviation) and inferential statistics; chi-square test and correlation coefficient which was fixed at p<0.5 level of significance. The result revealed that less than half of the respondents 135 (46.7%) had eye screening in the past, 156 (54%) had eye problems in the past 82(52.6 %) visited hospitals to solve their eye problems and others were involved in self - medication, patronised traditional healers and use over the counter drugs. The chi-square test showed a statistically significant relationship between the age of the participants and their engagement in the eye screening test. In conclusion, less than half of the respondents had eye screening in the past, while a large proportion of those who had eye problems visited non-medical facilities to seek eye care services. This indicates inappropriate eye health-seeking behaviour of the majority of the respondents. In addition, their perceived health-seeking behaviour was influenced by their age. This study recommends that more public health education needs to be done to educate the community on appropriate personal eye care to ensure positive eye health-seeking behaviour.

Correlation between Fatigue and Quality of Life in Adolescent Oncology Patients in Jordan

Background Adolescence represents a distinct and multifaceted developmental stage characterized by profound physical and cognitive transformations. Adolescents undergoing cancer treatment frequently have unique needs that remain unmet, leading to a notable decline in their quality of life. Cancer treatment often results in problems like fatigue, which affects patients' quality of life. Assessing quality of life and fatigue among adolescent cancer patients is essential for enhancing nursing care and improving outcomes. Objective This study aimed to investigate the correlation between fatigue and quality of life among adolescent cancer patients in Jordan. Methods A “cross-sectional” study was performed, with the participation of 127 Jordanian adolescent cancer patients, and data was collected through a nameless online survey of Jordanian adolescent cancer patients. The study commenced in February 2024 and concluded in June 2024. Demographic data and responses from two self-reported questionnaires—the Arabic versions of “Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory” “Multidimensional Fatigue Scale” and “Generic Core 4.0”—were collected. Descriptive statistics of means, frequencies, standard deviations, and percentages were used with demographics while inferential statistics were conducted using independent t-tests, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS, version 26. Results Significant and potent correlations were found between various types of fatigue “general, sleep/rest, cognitive, and total” and quality of life “physical, emotional, social, school, psychosocial health”. Notably, the total fatigue scores showed a potent correlation with the total summary scores (r=0.946), with a p-value significant at the <0.001 level for all correlations, indicating that adolescents with cancer experienced high fatigue and low quality of life. Conclusion The study demonstrated a potent link between fatigue and quality of life. The study's outcomes can help enhance guidelines for routine evaluation of fatigue and quality of life by nurses and healthcare providers in adolescent cancer patients to implement and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing fatigue in patients, highlighting fatigue as a significant concern. Future research should explore interventions such as exercise, leisure activities, and sleep to alleviate fatigue. Longitudinal research is essential to assess fatigue at diverse times of the day and week; this could help develop tailored fatigue management strategies to augment the quality of life among adolescent oncology patients.

Cocoa farmers’ perception regarding the effectiveness of cocoa extension services in the Bia West District, Ghana.

The study analysed cocoa farmers’ perception on the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in the Bia West District. Data for the study was collected from 400 cocoa farmers through a multistage sampling technique. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results reflect a prevailing awareness among the majority of cocoa farmers (over 90%) concerning the efficacy of agricultural extension agents operating in the study area. Farmers perceived a positive impact on information dissemination and timeliness (Mean=4.08), and knowledge and skills enhancement (Mean=4.03). Employing a probit model, age (1%), engagement in off-farm activities (10%), and the age of cocoa farms (1%) emerged as significant factors that influenced farmers' perception of the effectiveness of the agents. The three key challenges faced by farmers in accessing extension services included inadequate CEA visits (1st), trust issues (2nd), and communication barriers (3rd). The study recommends the critical need to intensify and sustain extension training programmes, incentivising and supporting CEAs in fostering robust relationships within farming communities, and directing policy initiatives toward bolstering investments in communication infrastructure.

Influence of Short-Term Employment Contracts on Performance of Health Care Workers at Nakuru County Level 4 and 5 Public Hospitals

Purpose: The study investigated the impact of short-term employment contracts on the performance of health workers at Nakuru County public hospitals, focusing on 490 contracted workers from PGH Nakuru and Naivasha Referral Hospital. Methodology: Using stratified random sampling and a sample size of 220 respondents, data was collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS version 25 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The analysis revealed that employment continuity had a minimal and statistically insignificant effect on performance (p=.923), whereas benefits award significantly improved performance (p=.025). Increased supervision had the most substantial impact, significantly enhancing performance (p=.000). Employment relations also positively influenced performance but was statistically insignificant (p=.060). The results suggest that supervision is the most critical factor affecting the performance of short-term contract workers, followed by benefits award. In contrast, employment continuity and employment relations were less influential. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study recommends that hospitals should invest in mentorship programs to enhance employment continuity and job satisfaction, thereby improving performance. These programs would support personal and career development, contributing to better overall performance for contracted health workers.

Board diversity and earnings’ quality of the listed insurance companies in Nigeria

This study examines the relationship between board diversity (in term of percentage of female board members, educational qualification, independent directors, interlocking directorship, and financial literacy) and earnings quality of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. The study used secondary data from the stock exchange fact books and audited financial statements of the selected companies. We adopted a quantitative research design in which data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Three variants of regression model, namely pooled ordinary least square, fixed effects and random effects models were estimated. Results revealed that significant differences exist in board diversity and earnings quality across the listed insurance companies in Nigeria. Also, the impact of board diversity on earnings quality is positive and strong. That is, the higher the company’s board diversity the better the ability to generate quality earnings. The results suggest than insurance companies with large number of women on the board are more likely to generate higher quality earning than those dominated by men. The paper draws the attention of management of listed insurance companies to the need to comply with the code of corporate governance on board diversity to increase the number of women on the board and ensure that the board consists of educationally qualified members, and financial literate members. The study also draws the attention of Nigeria Stock Exchange Group (NSGG) and other regulatory authorities to the need for regulation that will make disclosure of directors’ personal information a regulatory disclosure.

From building blocks to digital networks: analyzing critical drivers for social media adoption in the construction sector

Despite the growing recognition of social media’s potential benefits in the construction industry, there is a lack of in-depth research examining the specific drivers that influence its adoption. Therefore, this study fills this gap by empirically investigating the drivers influencing the adoption of social media in the construction sector of a developing country such as Nigeria. This objective was achieved through a quantitative research approach, involving the utilization of a well-structured questionnaire to gather responses from construction professionals, including architects, builders, engineers, quantity surveyors and estate managers. These professionals were sampled using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The obtained data underwent analysis using various statistical methods, including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Horn Parallel Analysis. The EFA revealed four clusters of drivers: communication and collaboration, operational efficiency and risk management, marketing and branding and knowledge sharing and learning. The findings of this study offer valuable guidance for construction firms and professionals seeking to harness the power of social media. Understanding the specific drivers within each cluster can inform strategic decisions regarding the selection and implementation of social media tools.

Patterns and perception of complementary and alternative medicine use among people with non-communicable diseases in Eastern Nepal

Background & Objectives: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses and values have increased throughout the world during the last decades. There are patients with non-communicable diseases with practices CAM without or alongside. This study aims to assess the patterns and perceptions of CAM use among community people with non-communicable diseases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 people with NCDs in Itahari sub-metropolitan city. Data was collected using the interview method through a semi-structured questionnaire for assessing the Pattern and Perception of CAM use. Descriptive and inferential statistics as chi-square test was used to find an association between CAM use and selected demographic variables. Results: The findings of the study concluded that about half (40.4%) of respondents reported the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Of them, the majority (80.9%) of respondents stated the use of dietary modification followed by three fourth (74.6%) of herbal intake. Similarly, about three fourth (71.4%) of participants used it to treat a long-term health condition that lasted for more than one month or its symptoms. All of the respondents (100%) had a positive perception regarding its use. Furthermore, age and types of family are found to be associated with the use of CAM. Conclusion: The study concluded that less than half of respondents reported the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and all of the respondents had positive perceptions regarding its use. Furthermore, age and types of family are found to be associated with the use of CAM.

The Health Education on Adolescent Reproductive Health Through a Festival Competition for Indonesia's Independence Day Celebration

In 2030, Indonesia is projected to experience a 37% increase in the number of HIV-positive patients, marking an addition of approximately 13,576 cases over 11 years. East Java, particularly among the 25-49 age group, predominantly males, stands out with the highest HIV prevalence. Factors such as inadequate knowledge among adolescents about reproductive health, exposure to pornography, and parental disempowerment contribute to risky sexual behaviors. The Activity aims to enhance adolescent reproductive health awareness, reduce HIV/AIDS cases, and supports preventative efforts at SMPN 15 Surabaya, Kenjeran, Surabaya. The community service activities encompass smart quiz seminars, educational role-playing, and informational posters. A questionnaire with 15 questions serves as metric for the success of the outreach. To analyze the methods' outcomes and effectiveness Descriptive and inferential statistics are applied. The community service initiatives successfully garnered participation from 108 students out of a total of 900 at SMPN 15 Surabaya. The seminar quiz activity with ρ-value ≤ 0.05 significantly increased students' knowledge by 14%, while role-playing and poster competitions showed no significance. Hence the festival has positively contributed to students' knowledge enhancement, particularly through the smart quiz seminar.

Modelling network motifs as higher order interactions: a statistical inference based approach

The prevalent approach to motif analysis seeks to describe the local connectivity structure of networks by identifying subgraph patterns that appear significantly more often in a network then expected under a null model that conserves certain features of the original network. In this article we advocate for an alternative approach based on statistical inference of generative models where nodes are connected not only by edges but also copies of higher order subgraphs. These models naturally lead to the consideration of latent states that correspond to decompositions of networks into higher order interactions in the form of subgraphs that can have the topology of any simply connected motif. Being based on principles of parsimony the method can infer concise sets of motifs from within thousands of candidates allowing for consistent detection of larger motifs. The inferential approach yields not only a set of statistically significant higher order motifs but also an explicit decomposition of the network into these motifs, which opens new possibilities for the systematic study of the topological and dynamical implications of higher order connectivity structures in networks. After briefly reviewing core concepts and methods, we provide example applications to empirical data sets and discuss how the inferential approach addresses current problems in motif analysis and explore how concepts and methods common to motif analysis translate to the inferential framework.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY (DfMA) IN INDONESIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: MAJOR BARRIERS AND DRIVING FACTORS

Construction industry is a crucial sector of a country’s economy, but faces continuing problems such as low productivity, labor intensity, and fragmented processes. Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) has been identified as an important strategy for solving this problem. Despite its potential, the adoption of DfMA in Indonesian construction industry has been slow. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) investigate barriers to the adoption of DfMA and (2) propose effective drivers to promote the adoption of DfMA. To achieve these objectives, a comprehensive literature review and structured interviews were conducted with DfMA experts. A questionnaire survey was then carried out with 100 respondents, and after applying purposive sampling criteria, 71 respondents were considered eligible. Following this discussion, the primary data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The collected data was processed using structural equation modelling (SEM) application known as SMARTPLS. The result showed that the main obstacle faced was the organizational mindset, while the most effective strategy was the contribution and support of the government. This study provided a better understanding of the constraints faced and driving factors that could be considered effective by industry practitioners. Additionally, there was an expectation that the results of this exploration would be an important starting point for developing a roadmap to encourage the wider adoption of DfMA in construction industry in Indonesia.

Green Purchsing Behaviour among Generation Z Consumers in Kathmandu Valley

Purpose: The study attempts to examine the general perception regarding green products and determinants of green purchasing behavior. Subsequently, the purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence green purchasing and general perception among Generation Z in Kathmandu valley. Design/Methodology/Approach: The causal comparative research design was employed in the study to investigate the causal link between determinants of green purchasing behavior. Data, gathered from 221 respondents through structured questionnaires distributed via KOBO toolbox, utilized convenience sampling. Quantitative analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, employing the PLS-SEM method. Findings: The study finds environmental knowledge, government influence, and social influence have significant impact on green purchase behavior. However, environmental attitude, and environmental responsibility did not influence the green purchasing behavior of Gen Z in Kathmandu valley. Research Limitations/Implications: This study is limited to Generation Z in Kathmandu valley, utilizing cross-sectional data, which may restrict generalizability. Future research should explore the determinants of green purchasing behaviors. Nevertheless, the outcome of the study will assist all stakeholders, including policymakers and marketers in Kathmandu Valley. Practical Implication: The application of this study is extensive. The study's findings will assist businesses, marketers, policymakers, and environmental advocates. Understanding these factors can help businesses tailor their products, marketing strategies, and communication efforts to better appeal to this demographic, thereby increasing their market share in the growing green product market. Similarly, the study's findings can contribute to the promotion of sustainable consumption practices in Kathmandu Valley, aligning with global efforts to address environmental challenges. Originality/Value: To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is one of the earliest studies to examine the relationship between green purchasing behavior among gen Z in Kathmandu valley by using PLS-SEM.

Knowledge and attitude toward menopause among females’ secondary school teachers in Northcentral, Nigeria

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge and attitude toward menopause among females secondary school teachers in Northcentral Nigeria. and to find out the statistically significance association between their level of knowledge and their selected sociodemographic variables. Material and Methods: The research design used for this study was a descriptive survey design; a purposive sampling technique was used to select 50 respondents. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire to assess knowledge and attitude toward menopause among females secondary school teachers in Northcentral Nigeria. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Statistics version 26.0. Results: The results showed that 8 (16.0%) of the respondents had good knowledge, 10 (20.0%) had average knowledge, and the majority 32 (64.0%) had poor knowledge of menopause. Therefore, the H1:0 Hypothesis was accepted, while the H1:1 Hypothesis was rejected. The majority of the respondents, 36 (68.0%), had a positive attitude, while 16 (32.0%) had negative attitude toward menopause. Therefore, the H0:2 Hypothesis was rejected, while the H2:2 Hypothesis was accepted. There was a statistically significance association between their level of knowledge of menopause and their selected sociodemographic variables such as age (≥50 years), educational qualification (MA/MEd/MSc), and previous history of menopause (yes), P < 0.05. Hence, the H0:3 Hypothesis was rejected, while the H1:3 Hypothesis was accepted. Conclusion: Majority of the respondents had poor knowledge and a positive attitude toward menopause.

Human Resource Planning and Budgeting Process in Government Health Institutions in Kenya: A Case Study of Magutini Level Four Hospital

Human resource planning is a crucial component of HRM that many businesses use to make sure the best employees are hired for the proper positions with the correct skills and knowledge. In terms of efficiency, service delivery, and product quality, this is particularly true. Budget discrepancies persistently persist during the implementation. Planning for human resources typically reflects the effectiveness of a certain institution's performance, which depends on it. To determine the human resource planning and budgeting processes in government health institutions in Kenya, Magutini Level Four Hospital was study focus. The study examined, employee retention, and staff training, The study's major anchor theory was goal-setting theory, which is backed by institutional and human capital theory. The study's foundation was a positivist research paradigm that used a study design that was descriptive. The researcher intended to reach 750 respondents; however, secondary data was employed in the literature study, and 260 respondents were chosen as the sample size by the use of stratified random sampling and administered questionnaires. Findings were examined using descriptive statistics (standard deviation, percentages, and frequencies), and the data were shown using tables. To show how the study variables related to one another, inferential statistics were used. The Pearson correlation can assist in determining the direction and strength of the relationship between the variables. Regression analysis showed a substantial correlation and a link between training, development, and performance. Employee retention and the budgeting process were significantly correlated and linked. The research study makes the following suggestions for enhancements to the management and board of directors of the Magutini Level 4 Hospital: The administration of Magutini Level 4 Hospital has to invest in its people. Training and development expenditures are crucial for building human capital, and top management must support this by providing the required funds. HRM initiatives are important in this, but they won't be able to flourish if top management of the company doesn't actively support them. The study's conclusions suggest that the company's executives should provide adequate funding for HRD and the budgeting procedure. Periodic cost estimates are required for every job in the plan in order to make sure that funds are used as efficiently as feasible.

Factors associated with disease knowledge and attitude among ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes – a multicenter study

BackgroundDiabetes is a multifactorial disease state that requires adequate patient monitoring for improved health outcomes. Diabetes knowledge and attitude, and associated factors such as medication adherence, medication discrepancy, health literacy, and glycemic control were evaluated in this study. The selected factors were also compared with diabetes knowledge and attitude.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out among ambulatory diabetes patients in three tertiary healthcare facilities in Nigeria. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.ResultsA total of 188 diabetes patients participated in the study; 51 (27.1%) at the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, 69 (36.7%) at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and 68 (36.2%) at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin. One hundred and twelve (59.6%) female patients participated in the study and patients’ average age was 58.69 ± 13.68 years. Medication discrepancy was observed among 101 (53.7%) patients. One hundred and three (54.8%), 47 (25.0%) and 38 (20.2%) had high, medium, and low medication adherence, respectively. Ninety-one (48.4%) had high health literacy. Mean diabetes knowledge score was 14.64 ± 2.55 points out of a maximum obtainable score of 18 points. Mean diabetes attitude of patients was 62.50 ± 6.86 points out of a maximum obtainable score of 70 points. Significant positive association was observed between diabetes knowledge and health literacy (Beta = 0.021, p = 0.029). Diabetes knowledge was higher in patients with higher level of formal education (p = 0.046), higher diabetes attitude (p < 0.001) and high health literacy (p = 0.002). Patients’ diabetes attitude was higher in individuals older than 60 years of age (p = 0.029), and those with high health literacy (p = 0.005).ConclusionsThe diabetes patients displayed good disease knowledge, attitude and medication adherence. Average levels of health literacy and medication discrepancy was observed among the patients. Significant differences were observed between patients’ diabetes knowledge and level of formal education, diabetes attitude, health literacy and age. Patients’ health literacy was significantly associated with diabetes knowledge.

Translator Praxis: An Investigation into the Practical Component in BA Translation Programs at Yemeni Universities

This study aimed to investigate the concept of translation praxis by assessing practical components of BA Translation Programs at Yemeni Universities and exploring the perspectives of instructors, senior students and alumni. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to collect and analyze relevant data from 61 instructors and 111 students at public and private universities and alumni through questionnaires and a checklist for analyzing BA Program Specification Documents (PSDs). The study instruments were developed and checked for psychometric features. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted to answer the study questions. The results revealed that the practical components total degree of availability in Translation PSDs was Moderate (m=2.01) in favor of public universities. Students' satisfaction overall degree fell within Satisfied (m=3.72). The t-test analysis of alumni and students' responses showed a statistically significant difference P-value=(.041) in favor of alumni. Furthermore, instructors’ assessment of the effectiveness of the practical components was placed in the Agree rank (m=3.67). Moreover, ANOVA and Scheffé tests indicated statistically significant differences at the significance level (&lt;0.05) between instructors’ responses, attributed to the academic degree in favor of PhD holders compared to MA and BA and in favor of MA compered to BA. Based on the study findings, it is imperative to activate the concept of translation praxis which combines theory with practice, by employing differentiated instruction so as to better prepare students the translation industry.

An Improved Divide-and-Conquer Approach to Estimating Mean Functional, with Application to Average Treatment Effect Estimation

Mean estimation is an important issue in statistical inference and machine learning. We are concerned with estimating mean functional that is a function of several nonparametric functions when there is a large amount of observations. Directly estimating such mean functional through nonparametric smoothing has the complexity of at least a quadratic order of the sample size, which is computationally prohibitive for massive data. The divide-and-conquer approach are thus readily used to alleviate the computational complexity issue, which however imposes a stringent condition on the sample size in each local machine if a locally optimal bandwidth is used. To address this issue, we suggest to use a globally optimal bandwidth in each local machine, which alleviates the restriction on the local sample sizes substantially. We show that the divide-and-conquer approach with a globally optimal bandwidth achieves the estimation efficiency bound as if all observations were pooled together. In terms of computational efficiency, our proposal outperforms the pooled algorithm dramatically. We demonstrate these properties through average treatment effect estimation from both the asymptotic and the non-asymptotic perspectives.

The Effects of Digital Technologies on Green Logistics Performance in Tanzania: A Moderation and Mediation Analysis Using PLS-SEM

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of digital technologies on the green logistics performance of Tanzanian procuring entities. The study was guided by the technology-organization-environment model, the Schumpeter theory of innovation, and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. A total of 427 respondents were included in the study, and data were collected using the stratified sampling technique. The study employed post positivism research paradigm and involved the use of explanatory cross-sectional surveys in data collection. The data were collected by administering questionnaires and examining relevant documents. The inferential statistics analysis of data collected was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling with the help of SmartPLS 4 software. The data collected on respondents' profiles was analyzed using descriptive statistics with the assistance of IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. The results suggest that the use of augmented reality, predictive analytics, information and communication technology (ICT) specialists, and the intention to use robots all have a beneficial impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of green logistics. The study recommends that suppliers and buyers in Tanzania and other developing countries should use robots, augmented reality, ICT specialists and predictive analytics to improve the green logistics performance.

Assessment Strategies, Instructional Resources, Science Course Teaching Methods and Acquisition of Employability Skills by Potential Science Graduates: The Lecturers’ Perspective

The study examines the interconnectedness of assessment strategies, instructional resources, and science course teaching methods relating to employability skills acquisition by potential science graduates from the lecturers’ perspective. The study utilised a research survey design. A sample of 371 was drawn from the population of science lecturers in universities in South-west using a multi-stage sampling technique. This involved purposive, stratified, and quota sampling techniques. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data analysed using descriptive statistics (multiple bar charts) and inferential statistics of correlation and regression analyses. The key findings of the study showed that instructional resources [instructional material, physical facilities, and human resources], science course teaching methods, and assessment strategies had joint significant predictions on employability skills acquisition. This implies that these variables must be adequately provided for improved acquisition of employability skills by students. Also, lecturers’ understanding of students’ key employability skills revealed low ratings of information technology, initiative, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability skills of students. The study recommends that higher education administrators should strive to provide instructional materials, physical facilities and human resources as instructional resources to implement excellent teaching techniques and assessment strategies. The study concludes that lecturers should consciously seek self-upgrade and improve teaching techniques and assessment strategies.